The African Union (AU) has certified Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) as a Regional Centre of Excellence in Counter Terrorism, giving it an expanded mandate to support regional efforts against terrorism and violent extremism. NigerianNews Updates
The accreditation came as West Africa and the Sahel continue to face threats from terrorist groups and violent extremist networks, making regional cooperation, intelligence sharing and institutional capacity building critical to efforts to combat insecurity.
The accreditation positions the NCTC, under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), to support AU member states, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel, through intelligence sharing, specialised training, joint threat analysis, research, technical assistance and operational cooperation.
The acting Director of the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre (AUCTC), Dr Idriss Mounir Lallali, announced the accreditation on Tuesday at the conclusion of the African Lessons Learned Forum in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the NCTC’s Head of Strategic Communication, Lallali said the recognition followed a “rigorous assessment” of the Centre’s institutional capacity, governance structures, training programmes, analytical capabilities, coordination mechanisms and commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
“It is therefore my pleasure to announce that the African Union is accrediting the NCTC as an African Union Regional Centre of Excellence in Counter Terrorism,” he said.
According to him, the accreditation will initially run for three years, subject to renewal, with the formal terms outlining the Centre’s regional responsibilities and the AU’s commitments.
He added that the AU Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security would formally communicate the decision to the Federal Government through a Note Verbale via the AUCTC.
The accreditation fulfils President Bola Tinubu’s vision, announced at the High-Level African Counter Terrorism Meeting in Abuja in April 2024, to position the NCTC as a regional hub for strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation.
The vision was subsequently reflected in the Abuja Declaration, which called for enhanced intelligence sharing, operational coordination, specialised training and capacity building across the region.
Lallali said the accreditation process began with the AU and the NCTC signing a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2025.
The AUCTC then conducted a technical assessment mission in Abuja in December 2025, which produced an accreditation roadmap outlining the institutional standards the Centre was required to meet.
He said the NCTC subsequently strengthened its governance structures, developed training curricula and operational procedures, improved its analytical and coordination functions, and reinforced its commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, described the accreditation as recognition of Nigeria’s progress in counter-terrorism efforts and a responsibility to contribute more substantially to Africa’s collective security.
Ribadu, who was represented by the NCTC National Coordinator, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, said the achievement reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s national security architecture.
“Today marks a proud and consequential moment for Nigeria and Africa as the National Counter Terrorism Centre is formally accredited as an African Union Regional Centre of Excellence in Counter Terrorism,” he said.
The NSA thanked Tinubu for his leadership, political will and sustained investment in national security, saying the achievement advanced the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also commended the AU Commission and the AUCTC for their technical support throughout the assessment and accreditation process, particularly acknowledging Lallali’s role.
Ribadu praised Laka for his leadership and determination in driving the process to completion. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Centre’s personnel, security and justice institutions, ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations, communities and international partners.
He assured that the Federal Government and the ONSA would continue to support the NCTC in fulfilling its expanded regional mandate through adequate staffing, sustainable funding, institutional partnerships and compliance with accreditation standards.
